Weston Renews Pledge to Eliminate One Billion Plastic Shopping Bags in
2007 and Announces Sell-Out of new PC(R) Green(R) Reusable Shopping Bag
TORONTO, May 9 /CNW/ - Loblaw Executive Chairman Galen G. Weston appeared
at a downtown Toronto Loblaws today alongside Ontario Environment Minister
Laurel Broten to encourage Ontarians to take simple steps to minimize their
environmental footprint by reducing their use of plastic shopping bags. Mr.
Weston also renewed the company's pledge to eliminate one-billion plastic
shopping bags in 2007 and congratulated Canadians on their response to the
recently introduced PC(R) GREEN(R) Reusable Shopping Bag - "Canada's Greenest
Shopping Bag(R)." Made from 85-per-cent post-consumer recycled materials, the
bag is the greenest reusable shopping bag available in Canada. Demand has been
so strong that Loblaws has tripled its initial order, with more bags expected
to be in stores by Canada Day.
The appearance followed today's call from Minister Broten for a voluntary
50 per cent reduction in the annual use of plastic bags in Ontario by 2012.
Loblaw's plan to divert one billion plastic bags in 2007 alone means that this
goal will be reached years ahead of the government's suggested timetable.
"When we introduced PC Green products over 20 years ago, we had a vision
to start a movement that would inspire consumers to make choices that would
give back to the environment," said Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman of
Loblaw Companies Limited. "Today's announcement speaks to how simple but
meaningful changes such as switching from plastic to reusable shopping bags
can make a huge difference.
"Canadians feel a sense of personal responsibility for protecting and
preserving the environment," added Weston. "The sell out of our PC Green
reusable bags confirms it: when retailers make it simple for consumers to do
their part, they will embrace the opportunity."
CANADA'S GREENEST SHOPPING BAG
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Made from 85-per-cent post-consumer recycled materials, the PC GREEN
Reusable Shopping Bag is the greenest reusable shopping bag available in
Canada. Weekly use of one bag is expected to divert 100 plastic shopping bags
from Canada's landfills in one year.
Each bag is made from six 500-mL or two 2-L plastic beverage bottles and
is fully recyclable, including all tags, threading and handles. Upon end of
its useful life (approximately 50 round trips, or one year of shopping),
consumers are encouraged to return bags to the store for re-recycling into
more reusable bags.
"Canada's Greenest Shopping Bag" is an example of closed-loop recycling,
which uses recovered plastics - in this case plastic bottles from municipal
collection programs - to manufacture new, post-consumer recycled products that
truly alter the definition of waste.
The bag is twice the size of conventional plastic bags, holding up to 10
kg. It retails for $0.99.
ABOUT LOBLAW COMPANIES LIMITED
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Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a
leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and
services. Through its various operating banners, Loblaw is committed to
providing Canadians with a one-stop destination in meeting their food and
everyday household needs. This goal is pursued through a portfolio of store
formats across the country. It also offers one of Canada's strongest control
label programs, including the unique President's Choice and no name brands.
Loblaw is one of the largest private-sector employers in Canada, employing
over 134,000 full-time and part-time employees.
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